Austin and Olivia

A few weeks ago I was given the chance to photograph two of my very best friends. From freshman year until now, I cannot imagine my college experience without them in it. As constant sources of encouragement, they have made an immense impression on my life and everyone else they have come into contact with. I consider myself extremely lucky to have had the chance to document this huge life event in both of their lives and I'm excited to see where this journey takes them.

Here are a few shots from their special day.

 
 

The moment when Austin said, "Oh yeah, there's Grant."

After the proposal, Austin and Olivia's friends and family gathered for a surprise party to celebrate their relationship and their future. 

 

Ciao for now,

 

The Farm

I don't know what it is about this place but it always makes me feel at peace and relaxed. It's not even my farm or a place I grew up going to. Maybe I like it so much because there isn't any cell phone service so I'm forced to be disconnected or maybe it's because of all the memories I have here are with close friends. Over the past year I have been beyond privileged to call it one of my favorite places. Last weekend I got to experience it once again and though I didn't catch any fish in the pond or shoot a clay pigeon, I still treasured each second because I was with people I love.

In college, and this senior year specifically, I have discovered a lot about myself and what I value in relationships. One realization I have had is that it doesn't always matter what you are doing or what you bring to the table. Sometimes the best thing is to simply be a presence in someone's life. And while I'm not trying to justify my lack of fishing or shooting abilities (though increasing my skill in those areas would be nice), I have simply learned that it doesn't always matter what you can do or say or even offer a person. Sometimes just being there for a friend is what is needed most. 

But enough of the deep stuff or I'll start crying. Let's save that for May. 

Here are some shots from The Farm. 

Ciao for now, 


 
 
 

January 20

This is the view I see every day when I walk out of my apartment. Today, it caught my eye. 

The grass was covered in frost and the sun had just poked out above the tree line, bathing the ground in the dawn's golden light. I stood for a moment, mesmerized. 

Then I thought to myself, "I wonder if it is this beautiful every day and I just don't notice it."

Most of the time I'm in too much of a hurry to stop and look at grass. But maybe I should study it more often. 

Beauty is everywhere. Even in the frozen ground.

Ciao for now,

 
 
 
 

Colorado

Last week was the first of many new things in my life. 

It was the first week of a new year.

It was the first time I wore a t-shirt in support of a college football team (RTR, amiright?) and called the Hogs in a public place (Woo Pig, y'all). 

It was the first time I was in a car for almost 1,500 miles (and 22 hours) in one day. 

It was the first time I decided (and completely under my own power, might I add) to attach two boards to my feet and then proceed to launch myself down a mountain. 

And it was the first time I did all of those things with some very good friends. 

 
 

I've been to Colorado before but in it was almost five years ago when I was a junior in high school — a lot has changed. I guess I just look around to actually see what I'm looking at when I'm traveling now, if that makes any sense at all. I think what I'm trying to say is perfectly said in this meticulously researched and formulated Pinterest quote:

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things”
— Henry Miller

I am by no means an expert on English analysis, but this is what my friend Henry is telling me. Our goal should never be to simply arrive complacently in a place, but to see where we are and be changed by it in some way.

For me, the last time I was in Colorado I looked up and saw some big piles of rocks, for a lack of a better term. I was young and dumb (or at least younger and dumber than I am now) and just wanted to quickly get from point A to B. 

This most recent visit to Colorado, however, mesmerized me. I was completely and utterly caught up in the mountains. Enraptured you might say. They left me speechless by their grandeur. They humbled me and showed me just how big (and amazing) this world really is and just how small I am in comparison. 

It's hard for me to put into words but there's just something about being completely surrounded by mountains that never seem to grow smaller, no matter how far away you move from them.

Here are some of the photos I took on my trip. All of the photos were taken on my iPhone 5s. Because I didn't want to take a camera that I might fall on and destroy, 

Though I fell down probably upwards of about sixty times across three separate mountains (I dare someone to beat that feat), I had the most amazing time with some of my very best friends.

Any amount of falls, bruises, face plants and cold limbs is worth it to be with those I love.

Ciao for now,

 
 

Shelby

A few days ago my friend Shelby and I went on a little photoshoot for practice and fun. And goodness was it fun. I've enjoyed getting to know this talented friend through school and I'm excited to see where life takes her. 

Below are of few of the shots I took of this beautiful person who gives "the girl on fire" a whole new meaning.

Ciao for now,